Mia Neves Missing — Authorities have confirmed that a missing child at the center of a custody dispute has been found safe and returned to her mother.
The Utah Department of Public Safety announced Thursday morning that Mia Neves, a young girl reported missing after a visit with her father, has been reunited with her mother, Mandy Mendelkow.
The search for Mia, which triggered widespread concern across the region, ended after a successful intervention by law enforcement agencies. The case began when Mia’s mother, who holds full custody of the child, alerted authorities to her daughter’s disappearance.
According to reports, Mia had gone to visit her father, Jesse Neves, and was expected to return under the terms of their custody agreement. However, when Mia did not return, Mendelkow immediately notified authorities. Mia was last seen near Hill Air Force Base, a military installation in northern Utah, where her father, Jesse Neves, was believed to have taken her.
Descriptions provided to law enforcement described Mia as a white female, approximately 4 feet tall, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a white tennis skirt, a pink tank top, and a black hoodie with rainbow tie-dye patterns. Authorities also released information about Jesse Neves, who was reportedly driving a 2012 silver Mitsubishi Lancer at the time.
The rapid response from law enforcement and the public played a crucial role in resolving the situation quickly. Authorities urged anyone with information on Mia’s whereabouts to come forward, prompting community involvement and an intensive search. Hill Air Force Base personnel, local police departments, and the Utah Department of Public Safety worked in coordination, using available resources to locate Mia. The cooperation between these agencies ensured the safe return of the child.